Sick Leave in Estonia: Your Rights and Obligations

Waking up with a fever in a new country can be daunting. Your first thought might be about work, but then a wave of questions hits you. Who do I call? How do I get a sick note? Will I get paid? As an expat in Estonia, navigating a new healthcare and employment system can feel overwhelming when you’re already feeling under the weather.

The good news is that Estonia’s system for sick leave is one of the most digitized and efficient in the world. But "efficient" doesn't always mean "simple to understand" at first glance. There are specific steps to follow and rules to know.

I've been there, and I’ve put together this comprehensive guide based on official sources and real-world expat experiences to walk you through everything you need to know about sick leave in Estonia. Let's break it down so you can focus on what matters most: getting better.

The First Step: Are You Covered?

Before we get into the process, let's confirm your eligibility. In Estonia, if you have an employment contract and valid Estonian health insurance through the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa, formerly Haigekassa), you are entitled to sickness benefits. Your employer typically arranges this insurance when you start your job.

The cornerstone of this system is your family doctor (perearst). If you haven't registered with one yet, make this your top priority. You cannot get an official sick leave certificate without a family doctor, so don't wait until you're actually sick to find one.

For self-employed individuals (known as FIEs), the rules are slightly different. You are also covered if you've been making your social tax contributions, but you manage the process yourself through the Tervisekassa.

What to Do When You're Sick: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Estonian system is built on clear communication and digital efficiency. There’s no need for paper notes or physical doctor's visits just to prove you're ill. Here’s the exact procedure to follow:

Step 1: Inform Your Employer Immediately This is your first and most important step. As soon as you know you cannot work, call or email your direct manager. Do this on the first day of your illness. Clear and prompt communication is not just a courtesy; it's a professional obligation and helps maintain a good relationship with your employer.

Step 2: Contact Your Family Doctor (Perearst) On the same day, get in touch with your family doctor's office. You don't necessarily need an in-person appointment. A phone call is usually sufficient. Explain your symptoms and state that you need to open a certificate for incapacity for work, known as a töövõimetusleht.

The doctor will ask you about your condition and, based on their medical judgment, will open your electronic sick leave certificate in the national e-Health system. This certificate is the official proof of your illness.

Step 3: Focus on Recovery (The System Takes Over) Once your doctor opens the töövõimetusleht, the magic of e-Estonia kicks in. The information is automatically logged and made available to the Tervisekassa. Your employer can also see the certificate's validity period in the state portal. You don't have to forward any documents.

Step 4: Close the Certificate When you are feeling well enough to return to work, you must contact your family doctor again. Let them know your return date. The doctor will then formally "close" the töövõimetusleht in the system. This is a crucial step! If the certificate isn't closed, the payment process cannot begin.

Step 5: Employer Confirmation and Payment After the doctor closes the certificate, your employer receives a notification. They then have seven days to confirm the data in the e-portal (eesti.ee). This confirmation includes details about your employment and salary, which triggers the payment process from both the employer and the Tervisekassa.

The Big Question: Who Pays for Sick Leave, and How Much?

This is where Estonia's system has very specific rules. The payment is split between you, your employer, and the state, and it depends on how long you are sick.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the payment structure for a standard illness:

Key Details to Note:

• The "Waiting Period": The first day is considered your own responsibility (omavastutus). Some companies have internal policies to compensate for this day, but it's not legally required. Check your employment contract.
• Two Different Calculations: Notice the subtle but important difference in how the compensation is calculated. Your employer uses your recent average salary, while the Tervisekassa uses the previous year's average. This can lead to a slight difference in the daily amount you receive.
• Taxation: Sickness benefits are subject to income tax.

You can expect to receive the benefit from the Tervisekassa in your bank account within 30 calendar days after your employer has correctly submitted all the required data.

Special Cases and Common Scenarios

Life isn't always straightforward. Here’s how sick leave works in other common situations expats face.

Caring for a Sick Child (Hooldusleht)

The system is more supportive when you need to stay home with a sick child. The benefit for this is called a hooldushüvitis.

• Who Pays? The Tervisekassa pays from the very first day.
• Compensation Rate: 80% of your average salary from the previous calendar year.
• Duration:
  • For a child under 12 or a person with a disability under 19, you can receive benefits for up to 14 consecutive days.
  • If you are caring for a sick family member (other than a child), the benefit is paid for up to 7 days.

The process of opening and closing the certificate (hooldusleht) with your family doctor is the same.

Sickness During Your Probation Period

Your rights are the same. Being on probation does not change your eligibility for sick leave or the compensation structure.

Getting Sick During Annual Leave

If you fall ill during your scheduled vacation, you have the right to pause your holiday. Inform your employer and contact your doctor to open a töövõimetusleht. The vacation days you were sick will be postponed and can be taken at a later time, as agreed with your employer.

Long-Term Illness

For a continuous period of illness, you can receive sickness benefits for a maximum of 182 consecutive days. In some cases, such as with tuberculosis (for which the benefit is 100% from day two), this period can be extended.

Your Rights: Can You Be Fired While on Sick Leave?

This is a major concern for many expats. The Estonian Employment Contracts Act (Töölepingu seadus) provides strong protections. An employer cannot terminate your employment contract because you are temporarily unable to work due to illness.

However, there is an exception for long-term incapacity. An employer can terminate the contract if an employee has been unable to perform their duties due to illness for more than four months. This is not about punishing someone for being sick, but about the practical reality that the job role may need to be filled if the employee is unable to return for an extended period.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Sick Leave Experience

1. Register with a Perearst Immediately: I can't stress this enough. This is step zero. Do it as soon as you have your Estonian ID card and residence permit.
2. Know Your Company’s Policy: Read your employment contract and any internal HR policies. Some employers offer more generous sick leave benefits, such as covering the first day.
3. Keep Communication Lines Open: A quick email to your manager on the first day and another one when you plan to return makes a world of difference.
4. Use the State Portal: You can log in to eesti.ee with your ID card, Smart-ID, or Mobile-ID to view your töövõimetusleht and check its status. This is a great way to ensure everything is being processed correctly.
5. Save Your Doctor's Number: Put your family doctor's clinic number in your phone so you have it ready when you need it.

Final Thoughts

Navigating sick leave in Estonia might seem complex initially, but it’s a fair and highly efficient digital system designed to support you when you're unwell. The key is to understand the steps: inform your employer, contact your doctor, and then let the doctor know when you're ready to return.

By being proactive (especially about registering with a doctor) and communicating clearly, you can ensure the process is stress-free. So, the next time you wake up feeling ill, you can confidently set the wheels in motion and focus on your recovery, knowing the system has got your back.